Hull City key figure makes ‘target’ claim ahead of Bristol City clash

The pre-season preparations are over and Bristol City are now fully focused on their opening day fixture against Hull City on Saturday.

The Robins faithful will travel in numbers to the MKM Stadium as Nigel Pearson’s men look to get their campaign underway with a win against a new look Hull side.

Tigers manager Shota Arveladze has enjoyed a productive summer transfer with eight new signings ahead of his first full season in charge - and hopes are high over a much improved performance.

Hull laboured to a 19th placed finish last season, ended the campaign two points and four places behind Bristol City and just three places above the Championship relegation zone.

But with their squad strengthened with new additions like Fulham midfielder Jean Michael Serri and Nottingham Forest defender Tobias Figueiredo, Tigers vice-chairman Tan Kesler has revealed the club are ‘doing everything in their power’ to challenge for a play-off spot.

He told The Athletic: “We don’t have the magic touch but we’re doing everything in our power to get to the play-offs.

“If we didn’t get there it would disappoint us, but it wouldn’t discourage us. It would just make us more motivated to come back.”

The Robins could also hand competitive debuts to a number of summer additions after Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes, Forest Green Rovers right-back Kane Wilson, Luton Town defender Kal Naismith and France Under-21 goalkeeper Stefan Bajic all moved to Ashton Gate since the end of last season.

More signings are on the agenda but City manager Nigel Pearson has revealed the club are focusing on moving current players on before any new arrivals are secured.

He said: “We are a bit thin and we know that. We can’t at the moment currently do any more business until we get further players out but I’m not going to comment on that.”